Austria GP return hurdles ’nothing serious’ - Marko

Dr Helmut Marko has played down fears Austria’s return to the F1 calendar next year might stumble at hurdles.

A deal for a grand prix next July at the relaunched A1-Ring, now called the Red Bull Ring, has been agreed between Dietrich Mateschitz and Bernie Ecclestone.

But the race actually going ahead is conditional on environmental and decibel permissions, and the raising of the allowed daily spectator limit beyond 40,000.

Red Bull’s Marko, however, insists: "I see nothing serious that would be a problem."

F1 team bosses met at the Hungaroring and argued that next year’s calendar should not extend beyond 20 races.

With Austria, Russia and New Jersey all set to join the schedule, however, that would mean at least two existing races are axed.

Reports from the paddock say India and Korea are the most likely to fall victim.

Marko told Kleine Zeitung newspaper: "There are some monumental tracks in Asia, but (they have) no atmosphere."